The “Arab Group for Muslim – Christian Dialogue” and the “Forum for Development, Culture and Dialogue” deplore the kidnapping of the distinguished Archbishops John Ibrahim Metropolitan of Aleppo for the Syrian Orthodox Church and Paul Yazigi Metropolitan of Aleppo for the Greek Orthodox Church. The AGMCD and FDCD strongly condemn this heinous act that has become a precedent in the Syrian crisis.

Adding to the risk of this most recent act, the distinguished Archbishops are two of the pillars of Muslin – Christian dialogue in our region and are main figures of co-existence, mutual respect, mutual understanding, and solidarity.

We, with great appeal, ask the religious and civil leaders, locally, regionally, and globally to intervene quickly and forcefully to bring about the release of these two respected Archbishops, so they may return to their parish and continue to follow their holy mission.